Can you bring your prescription meds on a plane?
You can. The TSA lets you carry prescription medications in any quantity-pills, liquids, creams, or injectables-without being limited by the 3-1-1 liquid rule. That means your 6-ounce bottle of blood pressure medicine, your insulin pens, or your 4-ounce tube of hydrocortisone cream all get through security just fine. You don’t need to pack them in a ziplock bag. You don’t need to limit how much you bring. But here’s the catch: how you pack them and how you present them makes all the difference.
Do your meds need to be in original bottles?
No, the TSA doesn’t require it. But if you skip the original packaging, you’re making things harder for yourself-and possibly for the officer checking your bag. Airlines like United Airlines strongly recommend keeping meds in their original containers because it reduces delays. Why? Because TSA officers often need to verify the name on the bottle matches your ID. If your name is Sarah Johnson but the bottle says S. Johnson, you might get pulled aside. If the bottle says nothing at all, you’ll definitely get pulled aside. A 2023 United Airlines internal report found that 78% of medication delays at checkpoints were caused by name mismatches or unlabeled containers. Keep the bottle. It’s not just for show-it’s your best defense against confusion.
What about liquids? Can I bring my cough syrup or eye drops?
Yes. All prescription liquids are exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit. That includes insulin, saline for contacts, liquid painkillers, cough syrups like DayQuil, and even topical creams. But here’s what you must do: take them out of your carry-on and place them in a separate bin at the security checkpoint. Don’t just toss them in with your shampoo and toothpaste. Declare them to the officer. Say, “I have prescription liquids.” It sounds simple, but 12.7% of all passenger questions at TSA checkpoints in Q3 2024 were about medication. Officers are used to it, but they still need to see it clearly. If you leave it buried in your bag, you’ll slow everyone down-including yourself.
What about CBD oil or marijuana products?
Don’t bring them. Not even if they’re legal in your state. Not even if they’re labeled “0.3% THC or less.” The TSA follows federal law, and under federal law, marijuana and most CBD products are still illegal. Even if you bought it from a reputable brand with lab results, TSA officers have no way to verify the THC content on the spot. In 2023, over 14,000 CBD products were confiscated by TSA because they couldn’t confirm compliance. A GAO report later found that 90% of those items were actually legal-but too late for the traveler who missed their flight. If you need CBD for medical reasons, leave it at home. Or better yet, get a prescription alternative that’s FDA-approved and clearly labeled.
What if I’m flying internationally?
This is where things get dangerous. The TSA only controls what happens in U.S. airports. Once you land abroad, you’re subject to that country’s laws. Many countries ban medications that are perfectly legal in the U.S. Adderall? Illegal in Japan and the UAE. Xanax? Banned in South Korea. Codeine? Restricted in Australia and Canada. The CDC’s 2024 Yellow Book warns that travelers caught with prohibited meds can face detention, deportation, or even jail. Don’t assume your prescription is universal. Before you go, check the regulations for every country you’ll visit-or transit through. The TSA app now includes a link to the IAMAT database, which lets you search medication rules for over 200 countries. Use it.
Should I carry a doctor’s note?
If you’re taking controlled substances-like opioids, stimulants, or benzodiazepines-yes. A simple letter from your doctor explaining why you need the medication can save you hours. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Just include your name, the medication name and dosage, the reason for use, and the doctor’s contact info. Some countries require this even for non-controlled meds. Even within the U.S., having a note can speed things up if an officer has questions. A 2024 survey of frequent travelers found that those who carried a letter reported 60% fewer delays than those who didn’t.
What about insulin pumps, CGMs, or other medical devices?
You can bring them. TSA allows insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, nebulizers, and other life-sustaining devices in your carry-on. You do not have to go through an X-ray machine with them. Ask for a visual inspection. If you need help, you can request a private screening or bring a companion. The TSA’s Cares program (1-855-787-2227) can arrange special assistance if you’re traveling with complex equipment-but you must call at least 72 hours in advance. Don’t wait until you’re at the airport. Also, frozen gel packs for cooling your meds are allowed if they’re solid when you arrive. Once they start melting, they count as liquids and must be declared.
What if I need to pack meds in checked luggage?
Don’t. Even if you think you won’t need them during the flight, keep them in your carry-on. Checked bags get lost. They get damaged. They get stolen. United Airlines has documented cases where passengers missed doses because their insulin was in a suitcase that never arrived. The same goes for asthma inhalers, EpiPens, seizure meds, and anything you can’t afford to lose. Airlines now all follow the same rule: carry-on only. It’s not a suggestion. It’s policy. And it’s there for a reason.
What’s new in 2026?
Not much has changed, but a few things are improving. TSA PreCheck members can now leave their medications in their bags during screening-no need to remove them. Over 28 million travelers benefit from this. Also, the Sunflower Lanyard program is now active in 45 major U.S. airports. If you have a hidden disability, chronic illness, or anxiety around security, wearing the lanyard signals to officers that you may need extra time or support. They’ll know to approach you calmly and give you space. And while there’s talk of biometric verification for meds in the future, those pilots are still in testing. For now, stick to the basics: keep it labeled, keep it with you, and declare it.
What should I do before my next flight?
- Check the TSA website for the latest rules (tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all)
- Use the TSA app to look up medication rules for your destination country
- Keep all prescriptions in original bottles with matching ID
- Carry a doctor’s note for controlled substances
- Never pack meds in checked luggage
- Declare liquids and devices at the checkpoint
- Leave CBD oil and marijuana products at home
If you follow these steps, you’ll breeze through security. No stress. No delays. No confiscations. Just a smooth trip with your meds safely in hand.
Russ Kelemen January 30, 2026
I’ve flown with insulin and a dozen other meds for years, and this is the most clear-headed guide I’ve ever seen. Seriously, just keep the bottles and say ‘prescription liquids’ at the checkpoint. No drama. No stress. TSA agents are people too-they just want to do their job without a 20-minute standoff over your eye drops.
Also, the sunflower lanyard? Game changer. I wear mine every time. Makes the whole process feel less like a interrogation and more like a human interaction.
Diksha Srivastava January 30, 2026
This is so helpful! I’m from India and I was scared to bring my thyroid meds to the US last year. Turns out they were totally fine, but I had no idea about the original bottle thing. Now I always print out a copy of this and keep it in my travel folder. Thank you for writing this!
Amy Insalaco January 30, 2026
The assertion that TSA doesn’t require original packaging is technically correct but epistemologically insufficient. The regulatory architecture of aviation security is predicated on verifiable provenance, not mere compliance. When you remove the pharmaceutical container’s original labeling, you introduce epistemic uncertainty into the verification chain-a non-linear risk vector that exponentially increases the probability of procedural friction. Moreover, the 78% delay statistic cited is not merely correlational; it’s causally implicated in the ontological insecurity of the screening apparatus. You’re not just ‘making things harder’-you’re destabilizing the entire epistemic framework of airport security. If you can’t articulate the ontological status of your medication, you shouldn’t be flying.